Octopods Nautilids Cuttlefishes Squids and Relatives: Cephalopoda

Physical characteristics: This squid's skin has many light-producing organs. There are large, circular light-producing organs just behind the fins on the mantle. The tentaclelike arms are covered by tiny, hairlike structures called cirri (SIH-ree). The arms have suckers only on the outer halves.

Geographic range: This species is found in all cool and warm water oceans.

Habitat: Vampire squids live in open waters at depths of 1,965 to 4,920 feet (600 to 1,500 meters).

Diet: They probably eat jellylike animals carried about on ocean currents.

Behavior and reproduction: These fast-swimming animals resemble an umbrella or a bell shape as they move through the water with This species is commonly seen on television programs featuring deep-sea animals. (Illustration by Barbara Duperron. Reproduced by permission.) their webbed arms extended forward. They create complex flashing displays with their light-producing organs.

Vampire squids and people: This species is commonly seen on television programs featuring deep-sea animals.

They hatch with one pair of fins, but then develop a second pair closer to the front of the body. For a short period the vampire squid has two pairs of fins. The first pair soon disappears. Except for the fins, young vampire squid resemble the adults.

Conservation status: The vampire squid is not considered threatened or endangered. ∎